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Eastern Pennsylvania Camp-Meeting

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 16, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 29.

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Eastern Pennsylvania Camp-Meeting

By W. H. HECKMAN

The camp-meeting appointed for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, was held June 11-21 on the old circus grounds in the central part of the city of Scranton. About forty tents were overcrowded with campers. Besides, there were many persons who occupied rooms in the city. We were pleased to comply with the request of a Presbyterian lady of Scranton who desired to pitch her personal tent on the grounds and to attend our meetings with her family. She is a lady of high standing, and is deeply interested, and intends to further investigate the truth. It was very gratifying to see so large a representation of our brethren and sisters from recently organized churches.
As the city of Scranton is practically undermined, our encampment was located over a coal-mine surrounded with mountains studded with collieries. Recently the residents of Scranton were greatly alarmed by the earth's settling several feet in certain sections of the city, which resulted in much damage to property. While we knew of the possibility of the recurrence of this experience, we were comforted by the word of the Lord, “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever.” Ps. 125:2. The Lord favored us with good weather, favorable conditions, and with much of the Spirit's power and blessing, and we had no doubt, the best camp-meeting ever held in this conference.
On Sabbath mornings, June 13 and 20, revival services were held, and the Spirit of the Lord came in our meetings in great power. Scores of youth and adults went forward for prayers, some of whom were included in the twenty-four persons who followed their Lord in the ordinance of baptism Sunday afternoon. We earnestly pray that these may prove faithful, and become proficient workers in the message.
A very encouraging feature of this meeting was that the canvassing work was given special prominence. Brother J. D. Richardson, our union conference agent, was present and gave valuable counsel and encouragement to the workers in this department. Seventeen canvassers are planning to enter the field under the direction of our State agent, Brother George W. Holman. A number of these young men and women received a special impetus to work for a scholarship as a result of the encouraging talks of the brethren from our schools.
An interesting service was held Sunday morning, June 21, when each worker made a brief verbal report of his work for the past six months, which showed the steady growth and progress of this message in Eastern Pennsylvania. Following this meeting an earnest appeal was made for the tent fund, which was met with a hearty response, upward of six hundred dollars being contributed.
Elder K. C. Russell delivered an inspiring address upon the growth of our missionary enterprises, and stated that recently upward of forty new recruits had been sent to the mission fields beyond, and that at least one thousand dollars a week is required to support our faithful missionaries. It was also shown that no better plan could be devised to meet the obligation of the support of these workers, than the adoption of the ten-cent-a-week plan by each member of this denomination. If this were generally practised, it would result in more than three hundred fifty thousand dollars a year flowing into the mission treasury. The proposition met with the hearty approval of the brethren and sisters, and a large number signified their intention to adopt the proposed plan.
The medical work was made a special feature of the meetings. Dr. Wilburn H. Smith, resident physician of the Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny, Pa., who has been called to the superintendency of the Pennsylvania Sanitarium, in Philadelphia, was present, and spoke of the design of our sanitariums. He maintained the high standard for these institutions as set forth in the Testimonies, and pledged loyalty to these principles. His remarks made a very favorable impression upon the people. Dr. Smith is a graduate of the American Medical Missionary College, Battle Creek, Mich., as well as of the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa. He is now completing his practise in one of the best hospitals in this country. He is, without doubt, well qualified to superintend our sanitarium in Philadelphia, and we are very thankful that we have been able to secure so valuable a man for this position.
The following resolution relative to this institution was passed after careful discussion:— “Resolved, That three dollars per capita for our entire membership be raised in our conference during the ensuing year. That one half of the money raised be at the disposal of the conference committee to be used in charitable work. That the rate for all such charitable cases sent to the institution shall be twelve dollars a week for board, room, and medical attention.”
It was suggested that each member of the conference sell on an average four copies of “Ministry of Healing,” and in this way secure the three dollars mentioned in the above resolution. The brethren and sisters gladly co-operated with this resolution and subscribed for a large number of “Ministry of Healing” to be sold to meet the obligation.
The evening services were devoted to the consideration of the doctrinal phases of our message which were listened to by a good representation of the citizens of Scranton. Elder E. E. Andross, president of the Columbia Union Conference, spent a week with us and delivered some powerful and helpful sermons upon devotional and missionary lines. His counsel was opportune and was much appreciated by all who heard him. The workers were much benefited by his early morning talks. Elder K. C. Russell rendered valuable service, giving timely instruction upon the subjects of religious liberty, the spirit of prophecy, tithing, organization, and apostasy. Prof. B. G. Wilkinson's labors in behalf of the young people, and his stirring missionary addresses in the auditorium, will be remembered with appreciation and much profit. Elder S. M. Butler's talks to the young people should bear fruit in those privileged to listen to them.
Among other visiting brethren who rendered efficient service were Elder B. F. Kneeland, president of the New Jersey Conference; Elder O. E. Reinke, who represented the German work; Elder W. G. Kneeland from the West Indies, who spoke of the work in that field. Elder Morris Lukens, was present several days in behalf of the canvassing work. Prof. Thos. D. Rowe, spoke of his school work in Hazel, Ky., and was given a substantial offering to aid the same. Prof. B. F. Machlan represented the South Lancaster Academy, Mass., while Prof. C. P. Crager assisted Professor Butler in looking after the interests of Mount Vernon College.
At the close of the camp-meeting it was arranged for Elder Charles Baierle and Brother Fred Lee to conduct a series of tent-meetings in Scranton. Elder O. O. Bernstein, assisted by Brother J. M. Martin and other workers, will conduct a tent effort in West Philadelphia. Elder A. R. Bell and Brother Robert A. Beckner will hold tent services in York. Brethren Chas. S. Weist and B. M. Heald are planning to hold an effort in Wellsboro. Elder Henri Meyer will conduct a tent effort among the Germans in the city of Philadelphia.
We appreciated the very courteous treatment received from the Scranton newspapers. While controlled to some degree by Catholic influence, they gave fair reports of our meetings, even giving some strong statements quoted from Catholic works bearing upon the change of the Sabbath. Taking it all in all, it was a most profitable occasion; one which will be long remembered by all who were so fortunate as to be present.
W. H. HECKMAN.